Cinco de Mayo is to the margarita what St. Patrick’s Day is to a Guinness—an excuse to partake in adult libations. Washington, DC, restaurants and bars serve up some mean margaritas: here are the top five Washington, DC, spots to grab a 'rita on the rocks or a frozen version of the drink with or without salt.
- Austin Grill. 750 E Street, NW, Washington, DC 20004; (202) 393-3776. Located in Penn Quarter, Austin Grill offers great traditional margaritas that won’t break the bank. Monday thru Friday from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m., Austin Grill’s Happy Hour offers $5 house margaritas. This includes Rita Rocks, Frozen Lime Margaritas, Frozen Strawberry Margaritas and the best of both worlds, the frozen Swirlie Margarita.
- Cactus Cantina. 3300 Wisconsin Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20016; (202) 686-7222. Cactus Cantina offers diners great frozen margaritas (by the glass or the pitcher) and outdoor dining under green umbrellas when the sun is shining. If you want something a little different try the Mango Margarita ($6.50) or the Gold Margarita--Jose Cuervo Gold, Triple Sec and Lime Juice ($7.99).
- Casa Oaxaca. 2106 18th St Washington, DC 20009; (202) 387-2272. This authentic Mexican restaurant is probably best known for offering patrons 20 different kinds of tequila. After you select one for your margarita, order up some Tres Mole to nibble on.
- Oyamel. 401 7th St NW Washington, DC 20004; (202) 628-1005. If you head over to Oyamel between 4:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m., Sunday thru Friday, you can enjoy a classic margarita for $4 along with the $4 taco specials (2 tacos). The Oyamel Pomegranate ($11), with pomegranate, Partida agave nectar, Patron Citronge and Jose Cuerve Traditional is a splurge, but a sweet one.
- Rosa Mexicano. 575 7th St NW, Washington, DC 20001. Rosa Mexicano is one of DC’s premier spots to get traditional Mexican fare and their margaritas are awesome. Whether you spring for a traditional margarita, a Mango Tropical--diced mangos muddled with agave nectar, shaken with silver tequila and erved on the rocks or the La Pinela--pineapple and cinnamon, combined into one delicious margarita and served with a cinnamon-sugar rim, you won’t be disappointed. And don't forget to try their guacamole.